Horspath 2nd fall short as Cherwell gets under way

HORSPATH 2nd slipped to a 20-run defeat in a low-scoring Cherwell League Division 2 game at Oxford Downs 2nd.

New captain Max Smith put Downs in to bat after winning the toss, and his side produced a fine display in the field to bowl the hosts out for 141.

Asad Rafiq took 3-18 for
Horspath 2nd. Picture: Rob Judges

Asad Rafiq (3-18) led the way by reducing Downs to 27-3, before Charlie Turner (3-26), Erasmus du Toit (2-26), Smith (1-23) and Jason Cardy (1-31) ensured the visitors maintained their grip. Ethan Davie (42) was the only home batsman to hold Horspath up.

But the visitors then also found runs hard to come by, falling short at 121 all out. Turner top-scored with a patient unbeaten 24, but ran out of partners as Nick Rivett (4-24), Davie (2-24) and Zac Wilton (2-28) did the damage.

Horspath 3rd, promoted to Division 3C following a league restructure in the close season, fell to a nine-wicket defeat at home to Great Brickhill 2nd.

With new skipper Ryan Hicks at the helm, the hosts were bowled out for 151 by an accurate Brickhill attack after electing to bat. Jonty Hedges shone with 48, while Chris Jones made 25 down the order as Kevin Wijesinghe (4-19) wrapped up the innings after Arjun Jhala (3-23) blew a hole in the middle order. 

Josh Cummings bowled well at the start of Brickhill's innings, taking 1-25 from seven overs. But there was no further joy for Horspath as Aum Raykar (84no) and Graeme Carter (46no) shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 140 to see the visitors home at 154-1 off 22.2 overs. Raykar was especially fluent, blasting 11 fours and four sixes in his 63-ball knock.

Horspath 4th went down by seven wickets at Wantage & Grove in Division 5C. Craig Wharton's side - also promoted during the close season - posted 173-8 from 45 overs after being put in to bat.

Under 15s player Sammy Parker top-scored with 37 after evergreen opener Adrian Manger made 34, while Wantage's bowlers shared the wickets around with James Mabbett taking 2-24 and Will Harvey 2-40.

Horspath then reduced Wantage to 38-3 with Tom Smith (2-37) striking twice in as many balls after Euan Barrett (1-19) produced a tidy opening spell. But Jonny Chitty (83no) then joined opener Colin Mercer (62no) in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 139 to take Wantage to victory at 177-3 off 29.2 overs.

Chitty's runs came off 46 balls and included ten fours and three sixes, while Mercer faced 96 deliveries, hitting eight fours.

Posted by: Russ